Electronic Product Code

The Electronic Product Code (EPC ) is an internationally used code and code system for a unique identification number to the products, logistic units ( secondary packaging, pallets, etc.), equipment, service relationships, documents, reusable plastic containers and locations ( eg buildings ( parts ) or storage locations) can be uniquely marked and identified worldwide. In combination with the RFID technology is a detection and tracking of objects, which are equipped with a transponder with EPC without visual and tactile contact.

EPC allows a unique identification of objects by class or type ( eg, a GTIN ) and instance (in this case a serialized GTIN ) (eg trade items, logistic units or transport containers). For the EPC is stored on a data carrier which is attached to the object to be identified. As a data carrier, an RFID chip according to ISO 18000-6C is generally used, which stores the code, and transmits. Alternatively, the encryption of the EPC is common in a bar code.

  • 5.1 Durable Features of the product life
  • 5.2 mark for the take-back obligation
  • 5.3 Backup Features
  • 5.4 Customer Information
  • 5.5 Marking of living organisms as products
  • 5.6 Personal Identifiers

Standardization

The EPC was developed on behalf of the U.S. industry from MIT and is now in collaboration with the Auto-ID Labs and EPCglobal, went up in GS1, well maintained. GS1 International is an international industrial trade association, based in Brussels, who is working in the international standardization of ISO.

The industrial standardization organization GS1 (formerly the Uniform Code Council (UCC ) ) and EAN International ( since February 18, 2005 new trades as GS1) had founded the consortium EPCglobal Inc. to define the necessary standards, marketing and public relations of the EPC code. GS1 International in Brussels has ordered new internationally these activities. In Germany, this object of GS1 Germany, formerly CCG, perceived, based in Cologne.

To ensure compatibility with other international norms and standards, the radio propagation for electronic product codes according to the rules of the various ISO standards ISO / IEC 18000- 6C is configured etc.. Other ISO standards define the compatibility with other code and key systems, for example, follows the numbering system of the international standard ISO / IEC 15418th

Operation

In addition to the conventional bar code, an RFID transponders (Radio Frequency Identification ) is used for storage. It is rather unusual, if an object only has an RFID transponder, but no barcode. The reading is performed for the EPC -contact and, unlike the optical code, wherein the electronic code with no direct line of sight. In contrast, the radio- technical view must, therefore bridging the reading distance can be achieved. Destined for a unique reading success is the spatial separation of other identifiers. Such identification error would not be compatible with the statutory disclosure obligations of transporters.

It is unlikely that the EPC in combination with RFID, identification numbers such as Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), EAN or Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC / SSCC) will replace the medium term for the optical detection based on barcodes: In case of failure of the RFID tags would be the object without optical code then without their own identification and the transporter or consumer without identification. Such identification error would not be compatible with the legal labeling requirements of the manufacturers.

Number system

The detailed numbering follows the industrial standards of GS1. The encoding that differed from the first designed EAN EPC is specified in the GS1 / EPCglobal Tag Data Standard. Unlike the original number identification system ( for example, " EAN.UCC System" by GS1), which marks only product in classes and types ( eg CD player type abc xyz by the manufacturer ), the EPC has the ability to match any end product to clearly identify (eg CD player type abc xyz by the manufacturer serial number 1234567). For this reason, some number idents were like the GTIN (14 - digit EAN number ) appended a serial number for example, and one refers to them as SGTIN ( Serialized Global Trade Item Number).

Structure of number codes

The EPC is a sequence of digits with a length of at least 64 bits (EPC -64, uncommon), 96 bit (EPC -96) further extended ( GS1 -128 ) or longer ( depending on the used number ID up to 204 bits). The number idents currently used are based on the GS1 awarded International Location Number Global Location Number ( GLN short ) type 2 were included in the EPC. The various EPC versions should be backwards compatible.

The basic structure of the EPC - digit sequence (here EPCglobal Tag Data Standards Generation 1 ) as follows:

  • Header: Identification of the subsequent EPC number identification ( SSCC -96, SGTIN -96). The subsequent division may vary depending on the pictured identification number.
  • Filter value: Specifies to take into account what type of unit itself ( eg articles, inner carton or cardboard )
  • Partition: Indicates at which point the EPC manager number and the object class number must be separated (the two mentioned fields only in the sum of a fixed length and vary in definition to each other)
  • Company Prefix: Identification of the producer. The company prefix corresponds to the so-called basic number of GLN ( German: ILN) type 2
  • Object class number ( Reference Item / Asset Type): contains the number of the product (eg milk bottle 1 liter, 1.5 % fat, Tetra -Pak ). The EPC object class corresponds to the item number.
  • Serial number: contains a consecutive number of the article (eg every single milk bottle of a particular producer of a particular item )

The check digit used to date ( last digit in a GTIN ) are no longer used in the EPC, since the test method of RFID tags or barcodes with characters outside the user-specified code works.

Evaluation

The evaluation of complex code structure of the EPC requires an economically meaningful use networking and server function.

Object Name Service

For the evaluation of a read EPCs the Object Name Service ( ONS) can be used by GS1, which is accessible via the Internet worldwide. ONS uses the proven Domain Name System (DNS) to map an EPC one or more Naming Authority Pointer ( NAPTRs ). A NAPTR indicates where information is stored on the referenced object of EPC, and may be accessed through the methods to such data. ONS can be understood as a distributed database system. Are to be operated, the ONS server and services from the local organizations of GS1. The root servers for the ONS service operated by the U.S. company VeriSign.

Physical Markup Language

The Physical Markup Language (PML ) is a file format (similar to XML) for describing physical objects. PML allows the information about the objects structured store. This results in a hierarchical tree structure, which can be processed by both humans and machines. PML files are stored on so-called PML servers, which can be operated by the individual participants in the supply chain.

Criticism

The application of the Electronic Product Code EPC is less common outside the distribution of goods. So parts in industrial assembly are rarely identified by EPC, there other number systems remain an economic form of identification. Next individual products in the consumer for lack of reader are rarely identified by codes, there the plaintext remains a common form of identification.

Durable Features of the product life

In connection with the identification by means of optical codes or RFID labels marked movable objects can be technically performed not only from production to logistics in the trade, but also to consumers (in the case of, for example, clothing long after the purchase ) are monitored. For this last step so far no concept is known as economically with the EPC or generally accepted.

Indicator for the take-back obligation

About the distribution of goods, products or product packaging can also be marked for the legally prescribed mandatory redemption. In connection with any repurchase obligation particularly durable code carrier are useful. The design of the code content does not play a decisive role. So far no concept is known as economically with the EPC or generally accepted for this long period of use.

Integration into uses of the EPC is usually not the case, the following methods are for example not integrated into the process of identification of GS1

  • In return system Green Dot for the return of empty packaging a separate brand image will be used. For collection of commercial packaging No flags are used.
  • For the return obligations of batteries separate image trademarks are used in Europe. The collection system of the GRS ( Joint Collection Scheme ) is not integrated into the process of GS1.
  • For the redemption promise of returnable bottles in Germany separate image marks are used, this is called the legislature no specifications.
  • For the return obligations electronic device according to UN regulations, RoHS and WEEE are located on the product itself no suitable product identification, the type of identification used not distinguish the products.
  • For the redemption of inside or outside of pharmacies selling drugs to the product of the proposal for the identification of GS1 EPC provides no more a solution, as the previous mark with drug code.

Security properties

The EPC has no authentication features or security properties for the code. Specifically called GS1 for the code system no evidence of the use or performance of international standards secure information technology, such as in accordance with international standards ISO / IEC 15446 (profiles ), ISO / IEC 15408 and 15446 (evaluation), ISO / IEC 18405 and ISO / IEC 20004 (software), but referenced only safe access and transfer procedures.

Each EPC can be faked or forged. Only the code or RFID tag can be referenced via its inherent identification number as authentic server function as a way of checking codes detected. For secure against forgery product labeling, other methods must be used in addition.

Customer information

The EPC code shows the customer the identity of the product as a type or instance. The use of an electronic RFID tag on the product appears variously by another brand image.

The vision of the so-called automatic transponder Checkout is known by GS1 since 2005, but so far not introduced except in demonstration facilities. Interactive solutions using common code systems have proved their worth.

The usual in Germany pledge indicator for beverage bottles are not integrated into the process of GS1, it can be used more figurative marks.

Flag of living organisms as products

The marking of products using living organisms as EPC would be technically possible, but has not been observed. The signing of farm animals and pets follows other requirements that are not compatible with the code system of the EPC. Appropriate special chips be implanted in living things. A special reader is then able to contact, to read out the data.

Personal identifiers

Identifying persons with EPC would be technically possible, but have not been proposed. For such purposes, yet exist in Germany at least three different number systems ( personal identification number of the Bundeswehr, tax identification number and social security number of the pension system ), to which there is no consensus on internationally standardized passport numbers or European has not unified identity card numbers and not compatible with the code system of the EPC are.

European Article Numbering-Uniform Code Council ISO/IEC 18000 International Electrotechnical Commission Tetra Pak Object Naming Service Electronics
302425
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